University of South Carolina Opened Food Relief Site

The new Feed the Flock program repurposes campus event leftovers to support students facing food insecurity.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration of a ceramic bowl filled with food on a wooden surface, representing campus community nutrition support. — The University of South Carolina launched a new food relief site to address student food insecurity by repurposing surplus campus event meals. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The University of South Carolina has launched a new location for its Feed the Flock initiative in Columbia. The program aims to combat student food insecurity by transforming surplus food from campus events into ready-to-eat meals.

Why it matters

With nearly half of the student body reporting food insecurity last year, the program provides a critical resource for those struggling to afford consistent meals. It utilizes existing campus resources to create a sustainable solution for the local community.

A 2025 survey identified that 48% of the student population struggled with food insecurity. The new facility, located at the Close-Hipp Building, officially launches with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12 p.m.

The players

Ero Aggelopoulou-Amiridis

She serves as the First Lady of the University of South Carolina and is presiding over the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

University of South Carolina

This public research university located in Columbia serves as the host institution for the initiative.

USC CommUnity Shop

This campus resource center partners with the new initiative to facilitate food distribution.

The details

Led by the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the program gathers excess food from campus events to package into nutritious meals. It operates in collaboration with the USC CommUnity Shop to distribute the food to those in need.

The food insecurity study was conducted in 2025.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place on September 30, 2026, at 12 p.m.

Culture Shift

The Feed the Flock program reflects a growing national trend of universities formalizing food rescue networks to address student hunger. This shift moves campus support away from ad-hoc emergency donations toward institutionalized, sustainable food management systems.

Students at the University of South Carolina can now access these ready-to-eat meals to offset daily food costs. This program simplifies the process for individuals to secure immediate nutritional support without additional financial strain.

The takeaway

This initiative demonstrates how institutions can reduce waste while providing essential resources to the student body. Students are encouraged to contact the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management to learn more about accessing meal support.